In fact, many Genin graduate from the Ninja Academy every year, but the number who can actually be cultivated by the village is very limited.
First, Konoha is just a village after all, and its resources are limited.
Secondly, it is indeed rare for a decent talent to emerge from among the common people.
Most ninja clan members are trained within their families, and not all of them are sent to ninja schools.
Just like this year's graduating class, one of the nine strong ones is just there to make up the numbers. The rest, at least judging from the data, are all useless.
Endo Daisho lowered his head and said, "In terms of strength and character, Itsuki is the best newcomer I have seen in recent years. What he lacks is just the foundation. As long as he is given a chance, I believe he will never let the Third Hokage down."
Hiruzen was surprised that Endo Daisho would make such a comment.
The most outstanding newcomers mentioned here definitely do not include the children of ninja clans.
Endo Daisho had been in charge of civilian newcomers over the years, but he had never praised any newcomer before.
The Hiruzen believed in Endo Daisho's judgment; Itsuki must have some merits. But even if Daisho hadn't mentioned it, after Itsuki awakened his powerful abilities, he was destined to be taken seriously.
"I understand!" Hiruzen didn't refuse Daisho's words and said with a smile, "It's rare for you to ask this. I will seriously consider it."
"Thank you, Third Hokage!" Endo Daisho bowed and said, "Then I will take my leave!"
"Teacher Daisho… thank you!"
Before leaving, Itsuki, who had been silent all this time, called out and thanked him.
Daisho just smiled, waved, and left the office.
When Daisho left, only Hiruzen and Itsuki remained in the office.
"I apologize to you for what Chie Mai and Ryota did," Hiruzen said. He stood, walked to Itsuki, patted him on the shoulder, and sighed. "Their ideas are extreme. This is a problem with the village's education. I, as Hokage, cannot escape blame."
Itsuki cooperated well, showing a touched expression, and said with some excitement, "Third Hokage, please don't say that. This matter has nothing to do with you."
"Konoha is a big family. Everyone here is my family!" Hiruzen looked out the window and sighed softly. "Where the leaves dance, the fire will also be extinguished. The flames will illuminate the village and make new leaves sprout."
"What this means is that young people are the hope of the future. We, the older generation, will trust and protect you, sacrifice for you, and inspire you to become the pillars of the future."
"This is the Will of Fire that I inherited from the First and Second Hokages. Itsuki, is there someone you want to protect in your heart?"
Itsuki knew this was a test from the Third Hokage, but he inwardly wanted to complain:
Wherever the leaves flutter, the fire will spread uncontrollably. The flames light up the village, turning the new green leaves into nutrients.
The Will of Fire itself is not wrong, but later generations interpreted it as a brainwashing concept.
Why?
Konoha's high-level officials preach the Will of Fire while watching others sacrifice themselves, even facilitating the sacrifice of villagers, and then reaping the benefits.
If knowledge and action are not integrated, no matter how beautiful the slogans, they only reflect hypocrisy.
In Itsuki's view, the Third Hokage was eager to preach the Will of Fire to him and ask who he wanted to protect. The purpose was to bind him to the Will of Fire and make him lean toward the Hokage faction.
Only by fully devoting himself could the Third Hokage trust him and invest resources in his training.
Of course, even though he felt some resistance, for Itsuki, relying on the Third Hokage was necessary. In today's Konoha, the Third Hokage had the thickest thigh.
"My parents died early, and I don't have many relatives or friends. If you insist on asking me who I want to protect… I don't know." A trace of confusion appeared on Itsuki's face.
"Is that so?" Hiruzen exhaled a long smoke ring and sighed. "This is indeed a problem, but you can be like me. As long as you have a protective heart, everyone in the village will be family."
"Can I…?" Itsuki hesitated, unsure of himself.
"Of course, I believe you can!" Hiruzen patted Itsuki's shoulder again. "Sincerity can be exchanged for sincerity. As long as you give your sincerity, the other party will feel it."
"Everyone in Konoha has inherited the Will of Fire. We are all the same. So, Itsuki, do you have the Will of Fire?"
"Yes!" Itsuki nodded firmly, looking at the Third Hokage with admiration. "I want to protect everyone. I want to protect Konoha. Can I become as great as the Third Hokage in the future?"
"Hahaha!" Hiruzen laughed heartily. "Of course, but if you want to become Hokage, you have to work hard. This road is very difficult."
"I will definitely do it!" Itsuki's face was full of determination.
"Very good, I believe you!" Hiruzen laughed happily.
Itsuki silently looked at the aged face before him, showing a shy smile on the surface, but secretly snorted in his heart:
This old man brainwashed himself right from the start. Did he really think my two lives as a human are fake? When it comes to acting skills, I am not inferior to others.
Knock knock knock!
At that moment, there was a knock on the office door.
The Third Hokage restrained his expression, sat back, and said calmly, "Come in!"
Soon, a man wearing an ANBU mask entered, knelt on one knee, and said, "Third-sama, Tenzo has come to report."
Tenzo? Itsuki's heart moved. He roughly understood what was going on. He didn't expect the Third Hokage to have such keen insight.
"Get up!" The Third Hokage gestured, throwing the black substance on the desk—created by Itsuki's new ability—to Tenzo. "Take a look at this first!"
"This is…" Tenzo was slightly stunned but examined it carefully.
After a while, he asked with surprise, "Third Hokage, where did you get this?"
"I want you to confirm the nature of this, is it…" The Third Hokage's eyes gleamed with expectation.
Tenzo said excitedly, "I can confirm this is definitely Wood Release!"
"Really Wood Release?" The Third Hokage stood up, unable to hide his excitement, but he still had doubts. "Why does it look black? Is it a mutation, or…?"
"No!" Tenzo shook his head. "It's property is purer than my Wood Release. The color and texture deviation happened because the caster is too weak and has not yet mastered the changes in water and earth properties. With time, he can master true Wood Release. He may not compare with the First Hokage, but he is definitely stronger than me."
"Great!" Hiruzen's face lit up. "If I hand the caster to you, can you ensure he masters true Wood Release?"
Tenzo took a deep breath. Has the true owner of the Wood Release bloodline appeared in Konoha?
Despite his shock, Tenzo immediately assured, "I will do my utmost to train him into a talented ninja!"
As he spoke, Tenzo glanced at Itsuki. Since Wood Release bloodline is top-secret, Itsuki's presence here meant the Third Hokage trusted him.
This confirmed it: the owner of the Wood Release bloodline is the young man in front of them—Itsuki.